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When you step inside Fondette’s pop-up in Mitte, you immediately feel immersed in alpine magic — no slopes in sight. The space perfectly embodies that ‘après ski’ feeling and inevitably leaves you all warm and tingly inside, from the wafting scent of cheese to the vintage skis and don’t forget the dulcet Swiss tones coming through the speakers. Begin with a tipple – Nüsslisalat anyone? — then make your way to the main events: three choices of cheese fondue and hearty slices of raclette melted to cheesy bubbles on a coupelle grill. The champagne fondue is near perfection, but perhaps a bit of truffle on top wouldn’t be a bad idea… With traditional Swiss sides of overflowing baskets of bread and chunks of juicy pear (for the fondue) and mini pickled onions and cornichons (for the raclette), you’ll have plenty of perfect accompaniments to whichever gooey cheese you desire. Dip your bread in kirsch liqueur beforehand for a true taste of the Alps. Grab a group or dine with a partner and have a night that will leave you singing Yodel-Ay-Hee-Hoo all the way home. (Text: Emilie Wade / Photos: Fondette, Emilie Wade)

Huge panoramic windows give views of monkeys frolicking at the zoo and inside, things are a bit more festive, a bit more cozy, thanks to Bikini Berlin‘s “Christmas All Wrapped Up” installation — a modern take on the classic gift-wrapping station. The installation — designed by Berlin born and based artist duo, Zebu — was, naturally, inspired by Bikini’s proximity to the zoo and features large animal and present cut-outs that dance lightly from the ceiling, a larger than life giraffe that safely guards a station where you can pick up a warming glass of Berliner Winter, a colorful photo op set-up and three unique wrapping paper designs with funky animal characters and festive patterns. Cheery gift-wrappers are the center of it all, perfectly packaging your purchases (whether from Bikini or not) in the bold illustrated wrapping papers, topping them off with ribbons and bows. We’ll be getting our Christmas shopping done early this year, wrapping them up here and sending out a Christmas postcard (both for free!) to spread this year’s holiday spirit through vivid colors and jolly animal illustrations. (Text: Massimo Hartmann / Photos: c/o Bikini Berlin)

I’ve been suspicious about spatial sound systems since I had a bad experience first with WFS (Wave Field Synthesis), and more recently with Dolby Atmos. However, Monom’s installation of the bespoke omnidirectional 4D sound system is different — sound literally flies around the space. In fact, whilst listening to the performance on their opening night, I lost sense of the speakers completely. Entering into the Monom sound studio felt like crossing a threshold from the Funkhaus’s urban industrial aesthetic into a science fiction film. The space entices audiences to become active listeners, to explore a shifting sonic landscape made up of dynamic sound arrangements that play with the laws of perception, and entirely subvert them. The experimental performance venue and spatial sound studio founded by Gratia Napier, William Russell and Zak Khutoretsky — aka Berghain resident DJ, DVS1. At the heart of Monom is the 4D sound system that doubles as an instrument of creation. It’s made up of 48 omnidirectional speakers suspended throughout the venue, extending to 9 subs submerged beneath an acoustically transparent floor. This weekend, Monom’s futuristic temple of sound is hosting the perfect foray into spatial sound alongside the Spatial Sound Institute, titled “4D sound: A Retrospective.” Whether you make it this weekend or not, anyone who enjoys music should watch this space. (Text: Misha Frahm / Photos: Becca Crawford)

Monom, Nalepastr.18, 12459 Berlin-Oberschöneweide; map
Check their website for event times and tickets

Misha Frahm is a musician, electronic music enthusiast and producer. He has lived in Berlin since 2011 and calls Wedding home.

An Emma Wood blanket is one of those pieces that you will have for life. Not only because it’s of such high quality, but because the design is a timeless balance of classic and cool. The graphic patterns are reminiscent of British picnic blankets — a rather fitting comparison I think – but without the kitsch of an old-school checkered tablecloth. Their simplicity and soft pastel hues perfectly complement the popular Scandinavian color scheme with light wooden accents and furnishings. The blankets and pillowcases are designed here in Berlin by Emma Wood, who has a degree in textile design from the London Royal College of Art. The cloth is woven in England, her home country, using fine merino lambswool to create just what we need most while lounging on the couch or sitting in front of the fireplace; If you want to know more about the manufacturing process, have a look at this video. Those in search of an extra layer to keep you warm and snug when on the go should take a look at one of the large, soft scarves. Whether enjoying some sunshine while café hopping in your neighborhood or cozying up on the terrace of a ski lodge, these scarves will keep you feeling luxuriously warm. (Text: Nina Trippel / Photos: Marcus Nyberg)

Making a holiday feast is hard work. It can be fun and rewarding of course, but it can also be a nightmare — so we’re releasing the pressure this year and letting Gans Einfach prepare us a crispy, classic roast goose with all the sides, sans stress. Vacuum-packed and shipped right to your door, order ahead of time for your holiday meal and relax — the goose and sides are ready in an hour or less. Your guests will be more than satisfied by the feast of homemade red cabbage, kale with bacon, dense potato dumplings, velvety orange finishing sauce, and of course the main attraction: a juicy, crisp-skinned roast goose stuffed with apples, onions and oranges. Relive the warm fuzzies of grandma’s house this year, and pre-order your crispy goose for that holiday meal you’re hosting. Your friends, your stomach, and your sanity, will thank you. (Text: Devan Grimsrud / Photos: Jean Graisse)